Malaysia, India to further cooperate in digital initiatives, e-commerce

Malaysia's Prime Minister Najib Razak (L) shakes hands with his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi during a photo opportunity ahead of their meeting at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, India, April 1, 2017. REUTERS Photo

NEW DELHI: Malaysia and India have agreed to enhance cooperation in digital initiatives and e-commerce.

In a joint statement on the 60 years anniversary of diplomatic ties, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and his Indian counterpart Narendra Modi said both countries acknowledged the importance of cooperation in the areas.

"(Both countries) acknowledge the importance given to digital initiatives and e-commerce by the two countries, agreed to enhance cooperation in this area, and, in this context, acknowledged the contribution of Indian IT firms, particularly those located in Cyberjaya," they said in the statement.

Malaysia will build the world's first Digital Free Trade Zone to benefit entrepreneurs by offering a conducive environment for digital companies to carry out business-invigorating internet-based innovation and thus catalysing the Malaysian economy.

The initiative is part of the recently-launched National E-commerce Strategic Roadmap, which aims to double the country's e-commerce growth from 10.8 per cent to 20.8 per cent by 2020.

Alibaba Group chairman Jack Ma, a recognised global leader in online and mobile commerce, has been appointed as Malaysia's digital economic adviser.